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On August 4, 2022 the National Trust for Historic Preservation hosted the first of three events celebrating "Women's Work." This event "Preserving the Places Where Women Made Art" was developed by the National Trust’s Where Women Made History program in conjunction with the “Women’s Work” exhibition at Lyndhurst—a National Trust Historic Site located in Tarrytown, New York.

The places where women artists were inspired to produce their work is as significant as their artwork. Yet too often these sites of creativity are not considered critical when assessing an artist’s work, influences, or impact.

In this event, a panel of geographically, culturally, and thematically diverse places of women’s artistry and creativity will consider both “how” and “why” it is important to recognize and preserve these places where women made art. In doing so we’ll explore a range of approaches for tackling the challenges of preserving the place-based legacy of women artists, examine the manner in which the artists’ stories are presented to the public to bring women artists the recognition and respect they deserve, and how these historic places can continue to inspire education, activism, advocacy, and new artwork in their communities.

Speakers

• Valerie Balint, Director, Historic Artists Homes and Studios—a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Franklin Johnson-Norwood, Jr., Past President of VSU Alumni Association, owner of Azurest South, the self-designed home and studio of an LGBTQ Black architect and artist, Amaza Lee Meredith
• Dr. Lucha Martinez de Luna, Associate Curator of Latino Heritage at History Colorado and Director of the Chicano/a Murals of Colorado Project
• Victoria Munro, Executive Director of The Alice Austen House Museum
• Giustina Renzoni, Curator of Historic Properties at the Georgia O’Keefe Museum
• Nellie Scott, Director, Corita Art Center Studio of Sister Mary Corita of Immaculate Heart College
• Moderator: Chris Morris, Program Manager of Where Women Made History, National Trust

Related Links

• "Women's Work" at Lyndhurst
• The Colorful Past and Bright Future of Azurest South, Home of a Pioneering Black Architect
• Where Women Made History: Azurest South, Ettrick, Virginia (Video)
• Bringing New Perspectives Into Focus at New York’s Alice Austen House
• More Than a Pop Art Nun: Preserving the Studio of Sister Mary Corita Kent
• Sister Mary Corita on Art (Video)
• Endangered Public Art: Murals Hold Memories for Denver's Chicano/a/x Community
• Murals Are Hot in Denver, but Is Cultural History Taking a Hit? (Westword)

The Women’s Leadership Initiative of RAMSA (Robert A.M. Stern Architects) is collaborating with the National Trust for Historic Preservation on a twelve-month pilot program to provide pro bono design, planning, and technical services to support the Where Women Made History initiative.

Where Women Made History is a manifestation of the National Trust’s commitment to tell a more full and equitable national story, with an objective to uncover, uplift, and preserve the stories and sites of women’s achievement nationwide and bring more relevance, diversity, and gender equality to America’s cultural heritage. RAMSA is a 240-person firm of architects, interior designers, and supporting staff with an international reputation as a leading design firm with wide experience in residential, commercial, and institutional work.

RAMSA's Women's Leadership Initiative seeks to develop and promote women's growth in the profession through education, mentorship, and peer support, and will create opportunities for young women entering the field to gain in-depth experience from women professionals by joining the project team as part of their internship program.

The pilot program’s first project is at Stone Quarry Art Park in Cazenovia, New York, which features the Dorothy Riester House and Studio (also known as Hilltop House and Studio). Today, the former home, studio, and multi-acre art environment of artist and preservationist Dorothy Riester and her husband Bob is a member of the National Trust’s Historic Artists’ Homes & Studios program, helping to expand the impact of Riester’s art and add her work to broader conversations about the relevance and importance of midcentury design, art, and the environment.

The project team—led by women from the National Trust and the Women’s Leadership Initiative at RAMSA, along with the women directors and leadership at the site—will build on Riester’s legacy by helping shape Stone Quarry Art Park as a public place for the creative experimentation of art in conversation with the natural environment.

The project will include:

• Designing a concept for a multi-use space that unifies the site and serves the needs of the artists, staff, and the public;
• Reassessing the approach to the Hilltop House and Studio and creating a better, clearer arrival experience for visitors and staff;
• Recommending priorities for restoring Riester’s historic home and studio; and
• Recommending how to repurpose the more contemporary “art barns” as functional spaces while also referencing the visual/architectural language established by Riester.

Also as part of the pilot program, the National Trust and RAMSA will select an additional site of women’s history and achievement to receive donated design and planning services led by teams of women professionals and informed by local stakeholders. RAMSA will participate as well in a PastForward National Preservation Conference session or other National Trust-sponsored public event highlighting the partnership.

After the first year of the pilot, the National Trust and RAMSA will evaluate the partnership and process and consider how it might be expanded or improved as a model for other sites of women’s history. In addition, the organizations hope to build new relationships with key stakeholders at selected sites and across their professional fields.

There have always been great women artists—a fact that feminist art historians have continually and consistently reinforced over the past half century. Using this summer’s new “Women’s Work” exhibition at Lyndhurst as a source of inspiration, these three virtual events will delve into the complex history of women’s artistry; the growing recognition of the influence of women artists, feminist artists, and women artists of color on the art world; and the deep connections that exist between the production of art and the places where women created it.

These programs are brought to you by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Where Women Made History program in conjunction with the “Women’s Work” exhibition at Lyndhurst—a National Trust Historic Site located in Tarrytown, New York.

Where Women Made History is a program with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Benjamin Moore focused on the preservation of sites in America where women from all walks of life have made history.

The Tate, Etienne, Prevost (TEP) Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of those sites.

Where Women Made History is a program with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Benjamin Moore focused on the preservation of sites in America where women from all walks of life have made history.

Azurest South in Ettrick, Virginia, is one of those sites.